The United States Geological Survey recorded
a Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake at a depth of about 14.5 km about 19 km to
the northeast of North Lake in Lake County, California,slightly before 6.00 pm local time on Tuesday 9 August 2016 (slightly before 3.00 am on Wednesday 10
August GMT).
There are no reports of any damage or injuries relating to
this quake, but people have reported feeling it across much of northern
California.
The approximate location of the 9 August 2016 Lake County Earthquake. Google.
California
is extremely prone to Earthquakes due to the presence of the San
Andreas Fault, a tectonic plate margin that effectively bisects the
state. The west of California, including Santa Barbara and Los Angeles,
is located on the Pacific Plate, and is moving to the northwest. The
east of California, including Fresno and Bakersfield is on the North
American Plate, and is moving to the southeast. The plates do not move
smoothly past one-another, but constantly stick together then break
apart as the pressure builds up. This has led to a network of smaller
faults that criss-cross the state, so that Earthquakes can effectively
occur anywhere.
The extent of and movement on the San Andreas Fault. Geology.
Witness
accounts of Earthquakes can help geologists to understand these events
and the underlying structures that cause them. If you felt this quake
(or if you were in the area but did not, which is also useful
information) then you can report it to the United States Geological
Survey here.
See also...
Magnitude 4.5 Earthquake in Lassen County, California. The United States Geological Survey recorded
a Magnitude 4.5 Earthquake at a depth of about 6.9 km about 30 km to
the southeast of Janesville in Lassen County, California, at about... 
Magnitude 4.1 Earthquake in Napa County, California. The United States Geological Survey recorded
a Magnitude 4.1 Earthquake at a depth of about 13 km about 6 km to the
east of Yountville in Napa...
Woman killed in cliff collapse at Point Reyes National Seashore, California. A
woman has died and her male companion has been severely injured
following a cliff collapse at the Point Reyes National Seashore to the
northwest of...
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